The Colorado Rapids Under-18 and Under-16 squads closed out their 2013 Winter Showcase this past Saturday and Sunday against Chivas USA and Seattle Sounders (respectively) before returning to Colorado. The tournament proved to be a challenge for both squads, as they went winless through the week despite hard work and strong performances, but was no doubt beneficial to their growth within the beautiful game.

On Saturday, the U-18s wrapped up the U.S. Soccer Development Academy event with a dramatic 5-3 loss to Chivas USA. The Rapids took the lead in the 8th minute with a goal from Isaac Martinez, followed shortly after by a score from Jovanni Chavez in the 13th minute. However Chivas weren’t slow to respond, when they pulled one back just four minutes later. In the last 10 minutes of the first half, Chivas was able to even the score and take the lead for a 4-2 score at halftime. They sealed the victory in the 73rd minute with a 5th goal, and even though Jose Elias scored for Colorado in the 77th, the Rapids were unable to reclaim the lead and fell 5-3 in the end. Throughout the tournament they earned a 0-3-0 record, and close the 2013 year with a 4-7-5 (W-L-T) record at 10th in the Frontier Division. The squad will break until March 1 to resume the second half of the season, where they’ll have a chance to improve their standings before playoffs in June.

The U-16s finished their run in the Winter Showcase on Sunday with a 1-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders. Against their toughest opponent of the tournament, the Rapids started off strong against the third-place sounders and held them scoreless in the first half. Fifteen minutes into the second half, the Sounders, who had scored six goals already in their previous two games, took the lead. The Rapids continued to fight back, creating chances and opportunities, but were unable to score against their opponents and fell 1-0. The U-16s returned to Colorado after the winless week but with valuable experience. They will break throughout the winter and resume play for the second half of the season on March 1.